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Many of us know that activated charcoal as a good first-aid remedy for treating poisoning and upset stomach, but it turns out that this unique product has much more to offer. Just imagine: activated charcoal can absorb thousands of times its own mass, which helps it to attract loads of poisonous particles. Thanks to these strong absorbing properties, activated charcoal can help you deal with many health issues from dental plaque and blackheads to skin rashes and insect bites.

Here at Bright Side we’ve had a closer look at the benefits of activated charcoal, and here’s why you should always have some in your pantry.

1. It can whiten your teeth.

Activated charcoal has a negative electrical charge, which helps it to attract toxins and free radicals that have a positive charge. It also attracts and binds little plaque particles that stain our teeth, and this is what explains its teeth-whitening effect. Activated charcoal is now added to numerous tooth pastes and powders, but you can make a DIY cost-effective teeth cleaning product yourself.

All you need is some activated charcoal powder which you can extract from capsules, or just smash a couple of pills. Take some powder and a wet toothbrush, brush your teeth as you usually do and let it sit for a couple of minutes. Rinse your mouth with a large amount of water. Be careful: if you have caps, crowns, or porcelain veneers, activated charcoal can stain them. Dentists also warn us that a DIY paste is too abrasive, so it’s better to not use it very often.

2. It can help you get rid of acne and blackheads.

Activated charcoal binds with the bacteria, dirt, and toxins that we all carry on our skin and that cause blackheads and acne. There’s a number of skincare products that contain activated charcoal that you can use, or you could also try a DIY facial mask.

Mix ½ teaspoon of activated charcoal with 2 teaspoons of water. Apply the solution onto your face with a makeup brush. Let it dry until it gets completely matte and then rinse it off with water. Another facial mask recipe suggests mixing powder from one capsule of activated charcoal with 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel.

3. It can relieve itching and rashes caused by insect bites.

If you’ve got a bee sting or a mosquito bite, but don’t happen to have any itch-relieving ointment, don’t panic. Since activated charcoal binds with poisons, toxins, and allergens, it can serve you as a good DIY remedy in these cases.

Take powder from one capsule of activated charcoal and mix it with ½ tablespoon of coconut oil. Dab the solution onto the affected area every 30 minutes until the itching goes away. Experts say activated charcoal may also be effective for treating rashes caused by poisonous plants, like poison ivy.

4. It can successfully fight mold and prevent the diseases caused by it.

Many of us are exposed to mold at home or at the workplace without even knowing it, and mold can cause kidney, liver and brain malfunction, heart diseases, headaches, vomiting, and even depression. There’s a wide range of chemical products that can help you get rid of mold, but if you don’t want to use chemicals, there are natural remedies too.

Along with tea tree oil, baking soda, and apple cider vinegar, activated charcoal has strong anti-fungal properties. Mix ½ cup of activated charcoal powder with one cup of water and apply this paste onto the moldy area. Let sit for 10-20 minutes and then rinse it with water.

5. It can protect your liver and kidneys from toxins.

Almost every day we are exposed to toxins through our foods, homes, environment, and workplace. Toxins have a bad influence on our organs and systems and make us age faster. If you know you’ve eaten some dangerous chemically-treated food, or if you’ve spent some time in a place with heavy metals and toxins, taking some activated charcoal may be an emergency help for your liver and kidneys. Experts recommend taking 2 capsules of activated charcoal after getting exposed to toxins.

6. It can clean your hair from dirt and beauty product build-up.

Because of beauty product build-up and dirt our hair may become greasy and lose its glow. Activated charcoal absorbs all the dirt and toxins from our hair and scalp and helps them get rinsed away. Mix one teaspoon of activated charcoal powder, 2 tablespoons of shampoo with natural ingredients, and ½ cup of warm water. Apply the substance as an ordinary shampoo on wet hair, and then rinse with water. Be careful: activated charcoal may color your hair, so it’s better to test this recipe on a small area first.

7. It can help you clean your digestive tract.

As we breathe in dirty air and eat foods treated with chemicals and pesticides, we accumulate large amounts of poisonous substances in our bodies. By removing toxins and allergens from your digestive tract, you will boost your immune system and improve the work of the whole body. Some doctors recommend taking 10 grams of activated charcoal 90 minutes before each meal for 2 days, but you can always find the right dosage info on the package of charcoal capsules.

You can also try adding the needed amount of activated charcoal into your food, for example, into your smoothie. But be careful: activated charcoal has strong binding properties, so it can considerably reduce the effect of any medications you are taking.

The remedies we have just told you about have been proven to be effective in many people, but remember that this is not a substitute for medicine. If you have health problems that need professional medical treatment, scheduling an appointment with your doctor would be the best option.

Which of these remedies would you like to try out? Do you know any other health benefits of activated charcoal? Share your tips and ideas in the comment section!